E-3 Visa General Counsel Jobs
General Counsel roles qualify as E-3 specialty occupations, requiring a law degree and bar admission to satisfy USCIS standards. Australian-qualified lawyers pursuing U.S. in-house positions can secure E-3 visa sponsorship without entering a lottery, with two-year renewable status tied to each employer.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout the Organization
Since 1934, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) has represented the U.S. freight rail industry, advancing policies, research, safety standards, and technology that strengthen America’s rail network. Freight railroads move the raw materials, energy products, agricultural goods, and consumer products that power the U.S. economy. As a critical part of the national supply chain, freight rail supports millions of jobs, facilitates domestic and international trade, and connects industries across the U.S.
Policy Leadership: AAR works with elected officials and regulators in Washington, DC to develop sound public policy and regulatory frameworks that support a safe, efficient and competitive freight rail system.
Standards & Compliance: As the standard-setting organization for North America’s railroads, AAR establishes safety, security and operating standards that enable seamless operations across nearly 140,000 miles of freight rail lines.
Industry Data & Economic Analysis: AAR economists produce weekly, quarterly and annual reports that provide authoritative data and statistical analysis on freight rail traffic, operations and economic trends. Learn more in the Data Center.
Research & Technology: Through its subsidiaries, Railinc and MxV Rail, AAR leads research, testing and technology initiatives that advance rail safety, cybersecurity, equipment standards and network efficiency.
Role Overview
The Senior Vice President, Law & General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of the Association, providing legal advice and counsel to the Board of Directors and the President & Chief Executive Officer. The SVP is responsible for all matters as assigned by the Board and CEO and for the overall leadership and performance of the Law Department. In this capacity, the SVP also serves as General Counsel to AAR’s wholly owned subsidiary, MxV Rail.
The Law Department provides legal, legislative, and policy support across the Association’s activities, while also coordinating closely with chief legal officers and senior leadership of member railroads. The function delivers legal services, counsel, and representation to AAR and MxV Rail and plays a central role in aligning industry perspectives across a complex stakeholder environment. The SVP oversees a team that includes the corporate secretary/associate general counsel, four additional associate general counsel, and an assistant general counsel, and manages an annual budget of approximately $5-10 million.
In support of AAR’s mission, the Law Department develops, coordinates, and advocates industry positions on major governmental initiatives across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. These include matters involving economic regulation, safety and operations, environmental regulation, spectrum, antitrust, tort litigation, preemption, and tax. The department plays a leading role in an increasingly active and strategic litigation environment, including representing AAR as a plaintiff in complex matters and expanding the Association’s role in legal advocacy at both the federal and state levels. It represents the industry in judicial and administrative proceedings, supports the preparation of congressional testimony, and contributes to the drafting of legislative proposals. The department also represents the interests of AAR’s U.S., Canadian, and Mexican members before government agencies and legislatures on issues related to international and cross-border transportation.
In delivering legal services to AAR and MxV Rail, the Law Department provides corporate secretary functions and guidance on a broad range of corporate and administrative matters, including tax, lobbying and gift law, insurance, privacy, employment and benefits, commercial and government contracting, and antitrust. The department monitors organizational activities to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements, represents the Association in litigation and contract negotiations, and provides legal advice and support to AAR committees comprised of member railroad representatives.
The General Counsel will join AAR at a pivotal moment for the industry marked by evolving regulatory scrutiny, and an increasingly active litigation environment. The role requires a leader who can operate effectively in a high-intensity, fast-moving context and help position AAR proactively on emerging legal and policy challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as chief legal advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors
- Lead and manage the Law Department, including six attorneys and one executive assistant
- Oversee an annual department budget of approximately $5-10 million and manage outside counsel
- Provide legal, legislative, and policy support for AAR and its subsidiary, MxV Rail
- Develop, coordinate, and advocate industry positions on major governmental initiatives across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches
- Represent AAR and its members in judicial and administrative proceedings and support congressional engagement, including testimony and legislative drafting
- Advise on a broad range of matters, including economic regulation, safety and operations, environmental regulation, spectrum, antitrust, tort litigation, and tax
- Represent the interests of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican member railroads before government agencies and legislatures on international and cross-border transportation matters
- Provide corporate secretary functions and legal guidance on corporate governance and administrative matters, including employment, benefits, privacy, insurance, contracting, government contracting, lobbying and gift law, and antitrust compliance
- Ensure organizational compliance with applicable legal requirements and oversee litigation and contract negotiations
- Support AAR committees comprised of member railroad representatives and coordinate closely with member company general counsels and senior leadership
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal executive with experience operating in complex, highly regulated environments and a track record of advising at the intersection of law, public policy, and industry dynamics. This individual will bring a strategic orientation and sound judgment, with the ability to anticipate emerging issues and contribute to forward-looking legal and policy approaches that support AAR’s mission and its members.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong executive presence and the ability to operate effectively in a multi-stakeholder environment. They will be a credible and trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Board, as well as a capable leader of a high-performing legal function, able to balance strategic priorities with execution.
Experience and Qualifications
- Minimum of 15 years of legal experience, ideally including corporate association, or regulatory agency experience
- Experience in the transportation sector, particularly railroads, or other highly regulated industries
- Strong knowledge of economic regulation and relevant federal agencies, including the Surface Transportation Board and Department of Transportation (FRA, PHMSA)
- Expertise in administrative law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and related litigation
- Expertise in federal preemption and its implications for policy, regulation, and member interests
- Familiarity with antitrust compliance frameworks and associated legal risks
- Experience leading strategic and policy-driven litigation
- Executive presence with strong Board-level communication and public speaking skills
- Experience engaging with C-suite executives and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to build alignment among sophisticated stakeholders with diverse perspectives, including senior legal leaders from major corporations
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including economists, policy experts, and government affairs professionals
- Proven leadership experience managing a legal function, including budget oversight, attorney development, and outside counsel management
Education and Bar Admission
The ideal candidate will hold a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and maintain active membership in the District of Columbia Bar or be eligible to waive in.
Compensation
AAR anticipates a base salary in the range of $450,000 to $500,000, with a target annual incentive opportunity of 30% of base salary, subject to Board approval. The organization offers a highly competitive benefits package, including a robust pension program tied to railroad employment. A relocation allowance may be provided for the selected candidate.
Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.
About the Organization
Since 1934, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) has represented the U.S. freight rail industry, advancing policies, research, safety standards, and technology that strengthen America’s rail network. Freight railroads move the raw materials, energy products, agricultural goods, and consumer products that power the U.S. economy. As a critical part of the national supply chain, freight rail supports millions of jobs, facilitates domestic and international trade, and connects industries across the U.S.
Policy Leadership: AAR works with elected officials and regulators in Washington, DC to develop sound public policy and regulatory frameworks that support a safe, efficient and competitive freight rail system.
Standards & Compliance: As the standard-setting organization for North America’s railroads, AAR establishes safety, security and operating standards that enable seamless operations across nearly 140,000 miles of freight rail lines.
Industry Data & Economic Analysis: AAR economists produce weekly, quarterly and annual reports that provide authoritative data and statistical analysis on freight rail traffic, operations and economic trends. Learn more in the Data Center.
Research & Technology: Through its subsidiaries, Railinc and MxV Rail, AAR leads research, testing and technology initiatives that advance rail safety, cybersecurity, equipment standards and network efficiency.
Role Overview
The Senior Vice President, Law & General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of the Association, providing legal advice and counsel to the Board of Directors and the President & Chief Executive Officer. The SVP is responsible for all matters as assigned by the Board and CEO and for the overall leadership and performance of the Law Department. In this capacity, the SVP also serves as General Counsel to AAR’s wholly owned subsidiary, MxV Rail.
The Law Department provides legal, legislative, and policy support across the Association’s activities, while also coordinating closely with chief legal officers and senior leadership of member railroads. The function delivers legal services, counsel, and representation to AAR and MxV Rail and plays a central role in aligning industry perspectives across a complex stakeholder environment. The SVP oversees a team that includes the corporate secretary/associate general counsel, four additional associate general counsel, and an assistant general counsel, and manages an annual budget of approximately $5-10 million.
In support of AAR’s mission, the Law Department develops, coordinates, and advocates industry positions on major governmental initiatives across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. These include matters involving economic regulation, safety and operations, environmental regulation, spectrum, antitrust, tort litigation, preemption, and tax. The department plays a leading role in an increasingly active and strategic litigation environment, including representing AAR as a plaintiff in complex matters and expanding the Association’s role in legal advocacy at both the federal and state levels. It represents the industry in judicial and administrative proceedings, supports the preparation of congressional testimony, and contributes to the drafting of legislative proposals. The department also represents the interests of AAR’s U.S., Canadian, and Mexican members before government agencies and legislatures on issues related to international and cross-border transportation.
In delivering legal services to AAR and MxV Rail, the Law Department provides corporate secretary functions and guidance on a broad range of corporate and administrative matters, including tax, lobbying and gift law, insurance, privacy, employment and benefits, commercial and government contracting, and antitrust. The department monitors organizational activities to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements, represents the Association in litigation and contract negotiations, and provides legal advice and support to AAR committees comprised of member railroad representatives.
The General Counsel will join AAR at a pivotal moment for the industry marked by evolving regulatory scrutiny, and an increasingly active litigation environment. The role requires a leader who can operate effectively in a high-intensity, fast-moving context and help position AAR proactively on emerging legal and policy challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as chief legal advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors
- Lead and manage the Law Department, including six attorneys and one executive assistant
- Oversee an annual department budget of approximately $5-10 million and manage outside counsel
- Provide legal, legislative, and policy support for AAR and its subsidiary, MxV Rail
- Develop, coordinate, and advocate industry positions on major governmental initiatives across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches
- Represent AAR and its members in judicial and administrative proceedings and support congressional engagement, including testimony and legislative drafting
- Advise on a broad range of matters, including economic regulation, safety and operations, environmental regulation, spectrum, antitrust, tort litigation, and tax
- Represent the interests of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican member railroads before government agencies and legislatures on international and cross-border transportation matters
- Provide corporate secretary functions and legal guidance on corporate governance and administrative matters, including employment, benefits, privacy, insurance, contracting, government contracting, lobbying and gift law, and antitrust compliance
- Ensure organizational compliance with applicable legal requirements and oversee litigation and contract negotiations
- Support AAR committees comprised of member railroad representatives and coordinate closely with member company general counsels and senior leadership
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal executive with experience operating in complex, highly regulated environments and a track record of advising at the intersection of law, public policy, and industry dynamics. This individual will bring a strategic orientation and sound judgment, with the ability to anticipate emerging issues and contribute to forward-looking legal and policy approaches that support AAR’s mission and its members.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong executive presence and the ability to operate effectively in a multi-stakeholder environment. They will be a credible and trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Board, as well as a capable leader of a high-performing legal function, able to balance strategic priorities with execution.
Experience and Qualifications
- Minimum of 15 years of legal experience, ideally including corporate association, or regulatory agency experience
- Experience in the transportation sector, particularly railroads, or other highly regulated industries
- Strong knowledge of economic regulation and relevant federal agencies, including the Surface Transportation Board and Department of Transportation (FRA, PHMSA)
- Expertise in administrative law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and related litigation
- Expertise in federal preemption and its implications for policy, regulation, and member interests
- Familiarity with antitrust compliance frameworks and associated legal risks
- Experience leading strategic and policy-driven litigation
- Executive presence with strong Board-level communication and public speaking skills
- Experience engaging with C-suite executives and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to build alignment among sophisticated stakeholders with diverse perspectives, including senior legal leaders from major corporations
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including economists, policy experts, and government affairs professionals
- Proven leadership experience managing a legal function, including budget oversight, attorney development, and outside counsel management
Education and Bar Admission
The ideal candidate will hold a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and maintain active membership in the District of Columbia Bar or be eligible to waive in.
Compensation
AAR anticipates a base salary in the range of $450,000 to $500,000, with a target annual incentive opportunity of 30% of base salary, subject to Board approval. The organization offers a highly competitive benefits package, including a robust pension program tied to railroad employment. A relocation allowance may be provided for the selected candidate.
Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a General Counsel
Verify your bar admission strategy early
U.S. employers hiring a General Counsel expect domestic bar admission or a clear path to it. Research which states admit foreign-trained lawyers via motion or examination before you apply, so you can address this in interviews.
Target companies with existing legal departments
In-house General Counsel roles require the employer to file an LCA and act as petitioner. Focus on mid-to-large companies that already have HR infrastructure for work visa sponsorship, since startups often lack the internal processes to file correctly.
Frame your Australian JD as equivalent
USCIS accepts an Australian bachelor of laws as equivalent to a U.S. juris doctor for E-3 specialty occupation purposes. Prepare a credential evaluation from a recognized service to submit with your visa application at the consulate.
Negotiate LCA filing into your offer timeline
Your employer must obtain a certified LCA from DOL before you can attend your consulate appointment. Build at least three to four weeks of LCA processing time into your start-date negotiation so the filing doesn't delay your arrival.
Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service for complex in-house roles
General Counsel positions often involve subsidiary structures or multi-state operations that complicate the LCA and visa paperwork. Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service manages the entire process from offer to consulate appointment, reducing errors that trigger delays.
Distinguish E-3 benefits when briefing your new employer
Many U.S. legal departments default to assuming H-1B is the only option. Explain that the E-3 has no annual cap, no lottery, and a faster DOL certification timeline, which makes sponsoring an Australian GC candidate significantly more predictable.
General Counsel jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find General Counsel JobsGeneral Counsel E-3 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find General Counsel jobs that offer E-3 visa sponsorship?
Search Migrate Mate to filter General Counsel roles by employers with E-3 sponsorship history. Most in-house legal postings don't advertise visa support explicitly, so targeting companies that have filed LCAs before is more reliable than reading job descriptions alone. Migrate Mate surfaces that filing history so you can focus your applications on realistic opportunities.
How much does it cost to get an E-3 visa?
Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service covers the entire process for $499, including the Labor Condition Application, visa document preparation, and consulate appointment guidance. Traditional immigration lawyers charge $2,000–$5,000+ for the same work. The E-3 has less paperwork than most work visas, so paying thousands for legal help is usually unnecessary.
Does a General Counsel role qualify as a specialty occupation for the E-3 visa?
Yes. General Counsel positions consistently qualify as specialty occupations because they require a law degree as a standard entry requirement for the role. USCIS looks at whether a bachelor's degree in a specific field is normally required, and in-house legal leadership roles meet that standard. Your Australian JD or LLB satisfies the degree requirement after credential evaluation.
How does the E-3 visa compare to the H-1B for a General Counsel hiring an Australian lawyer?
The E-3 is available only to Australian citizens, but for that group it has significant structural advantages over the H-1B. There is no annual cap and no lottery, so employers can file at any point in the year with a predictable outcome. H-1B registrations are capped at 85,000 annually and selected by lottery, meaning a qualified candidate can be rejected purely by chance. For a General Counsel hire, the E-3 gives both parties a reliable timeline.
Can I hold E-3 status if I'm also admitted to an Australian bar but not yet a U.S. bar?
E-3 eligibility doesn't require U.S. bar admission at the time of filing. The visa is based on your degree and the specialty occupation definition of the role, not on licensure. However, your employer may require active U.S. bar membership as a condition of employment, particularly for roles that involve signing legal opinions or appearing before courts. Clarify the employer's specific requirements before accepting an offer.
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